Radiator-cap-latching device



Patented .Nov, 229, 1927 UNITED N stares RAYMOND n. scIINoon, or Mavwoon7 InnINOIs, AssIeNon, nx IunsNn AssIGNMnNTs, To THnNonLIPrccMrANmor CHICAGO, ILLiNoIs, a coaronaaION or ILLINOIS.

` l nAnIATon-car-LATGHING nnvcn.

Application aiea February 1a, 1925. seran No. 8,895.

. My present invention relates ingeneral to radiator caps, and more particularly to that type of cap havingy 1a hinged filling opening and adapted to be non-removably 5 secured to the neck of a radiator.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a. radiator cap that will be symmetrical indesign and that will have no sharper frail projections that may catch and tear fabrics, or that may be accidentally broken away. f f i Another object is to provide such a device that will not be opened accidentally and that may be readily opened if desired by a slight pressure of the finger, that will be efficient, economically produced and readily assembled.

Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent .asV the invention is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof. y i

Referring tothe drawings: Y y

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a device embodyinnr my invention with parts broken' away.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device.;V

While it is possible to use the device vwith various radiator caps andthe like, to illustrate my invention, I have shown a body 11 having#` a llinfr Openingkk 12" provided with a. flexible gasket -andfpositioned over an adapter 13 by which itmay be non-removably secured to the neck yof a radiator 141. The body 11 is provided at its Opposite sides with outwardly extending arms 15 which may be to facilitate the turning'of `the cap or merely for ornamentation. A 'olosure" member 16 having anopening 17l `therein into which the neck of a conditionk indicator or motor meter 18 may be securedis secured to the body by means of a'hinge pin 19 extending throughthe lug 21 of the vclosure member and the lugs 22 extending upwardly from the body 11.

A latch 23 is pivotally secured in the closure member 16 by a pin 24 having bearings in the arms 25 formed integral with the closure member 16. A spring 26 nor mally tends to rotate the latch in a counterclockwise direction and is secured toa con` 5 latch. Ain arm 28 ofthe latch is out away at 29 to forma hook and the end ofthe arm is preferably chamfered or rounded as at 31. Apocket is provided in the body 11. preferably at the base of one of the arms 15, and a ,plate 33 being slightlygreater in width than the pocket 32 to provide a drive iitispositined in said pocket adjacent the Outerwall 311. `This plateA is preferably of ahard material having wearing qualities Y and is bent at right angles at35 to provide 65 a `fiantgfe. A pin 36 having an enlarged diameter providing a button and a groove 38 is positioned in an arm 15 of the body 11. A split washer 39 is positioned in the groove 38 and moves with the pin 36. A spring 41 positioned over the pin` 36 and inabearinggf` 412 normally tends to hold the pin 36 intheposition shown (Fig. 1) with the washer 39 engaging the plate 33.

rlhe cap may be opened forllinfr they radiator or the like a .slight pressure'on the button 37. which it will be noted moves the washer 39 tothe left, (Fig. 1) to disengage the latch 23 from the flange of the plate 33 ywhich entirelyreleases a side of the closure member, the gasket' 20 'being slightly compressedzupon closing raisesthe closure member slightlyL and permits the swinging thereof n about .the hinqe Vpin 19. To securethe cap in closed position. it is only, necessary to close the cap, as it will be notedthat the chamferedend 31 of the arm 28 of the latch striking the top of the plate 33 moves the latch in a clockwise direction against the force of the spring; 26 until the hookpasses the end .ofthe fiangre, atv whichitime the hook willr be actuated by the springe;r 26 tofengaege behind the flange.

It is thought that the invention and many ofits attendant advantages will be undermi stood from the foregoing description and it willbe apparent that various changes may be made in the yform,construction arrange ment of the; parts without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention or sacrificing; all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1.` A latchingr device for use with a radi- Vwardly therefrom, and a closure for said said device opening secured to said body,

comprising a `latch member pivoted in sai cover iu closed position, and a two diameter yieldable'pin slidably mounted in the outwardly extending arm of said body for disengaging-'said latch'member.

f 3. /A latching device for use with a radiator .cap having ,a body attachable to the filler neck of a radiator'and having laterally extending arms whereby said body may be rotated, and acover hingedly secured to said body,` said device comprising cooperating latching elements carried respectively by said `cover andbody, means for normally holding said latching elements in engagement, and means for disengaging said elements topermit opening of the cover, said '7' last-mentioned means comprising a slidable member mounted within one of said arms, and a spring for holding saidmember normally in outer position, said member having a thumb portion projecting from the end of said arm and a portion engageable with one of lsaid latching elements whereby the latter `may be moved out of engagement withvthe other elementy when said thumb portion is pressed.V

' 4. Ailatching device for use with a radiator cap having a body attachable tothe tillerneck of aradiator and having laterally extending arms whereby, said body may be rotated, and a cover hingedly secured t0 said body, said device lcomprising cooperating latching elements carried respectively by said coverand body, means for normally holding said latching elements in engagement, andmeans for disen'gfaging said elements to permit opening pf tli'ecover,` said last-mentioned means com- -prisinga -slidable member mounted within one of said arms anda spring for holding saidmember normally 1n outer position, said ymember having a thumbportion projecting yfrom the .endpof said arm and a portion enator cap having a body attachable to the filler neck of a radiator and having laterally extending arms whereby said body may bc rotated, and a cover hingcdly secured to said body, said device comprising cooperating latching elements carried respectively. by said cover and body, means for normally holding said Alatchiiig 'elements in`,engagement, and means for disengagingsaid cleinents to permit opening of thev cover, said last-mentioned means comprising a slidable member mounted within one of said arms and a spring for holding said membernormally in outer position, said member having a thumb portion projecting from the end of said arms and a portion engageable with one of said latching elements whereby the latter may be moved out of engagement with the other element when said thumb portion is pressed, the engageablc portions ot said latching elements and the actuating portion of said slidable members being inacccssibly disposed in an interior recess in said body.

6. A latchng device for use with a radiator cap having a body attacliable to the filler neck of a radiator and having laterally extending` arms whereby said body may be rotated, and av cover hingedly secured to said lbod said device com rising` a. latchinf 7 2': P*

one of said arms andhavinga head portion adapted to act upon said pivoted member whenA pressed inwardlyQand a thumb portion protruding from the end of the arm, and means for holding said'slidable member normally iuposition permitting engagement of the latch.

RAYMOND D. SCHNOOR. 

